Last night of autumn in "Dorothy country"

I am a little short on time tonight, but I wanted to fit in one last blogpost while we are still in Kansas City.  I had to include "Dorothy country" in the title.  We have gotten that response often in Australia when we tell people we are from Kansas City.  It is then followed by the line "you get those twisters there, don't you?".  I am just impressed that Australians have heard of Kansas City.  But, they do love their American movies.  

I am sad to see our visit come to an end.  We had such a great time seeing everyone.  We got to celebrate my dad's 80th birthday.  The next weekend, we got to partake in a surprise birthday party for my sister, Suzie.  The kids got to see friends from school and the neighborhood.  Sean and I got to enjoy time with our family and friends.  We got to experience some warm, summery days as well as some cool, windy autumn days.  It has been an extremely full 3 1/2 weeks!

The four of us with Sean's parents and grandparents in front of his grandparents' RV before they headed out on their return trip to Texas.

Here we are with Sean's parents as we are heading into Legoland

Legoland's version of "Dorothy country" as it is shown in the Wizard of Oz

Carter and Aubrey with Aubrey's best bud, Ian.  We got to enjoy a hayride on a chilly, fall day.

My dad on his special day

He's really trying to get all those candles blown out.  Thank goodness there wasn't really 80 of them on the cake!

A typical Meissen gathering.  LOTS of people gathered around, very few empty seats, and a card game going on in the background.  This is only about 1/4 of the total people present.  (I am one of eight children.)  I'm going to miss this during the upcoming holiday season.

Carter petting our cat, Shelby, one morning.  He tried really hard to get on her good side during this trip.  Unfortunately, she would usually look annoyed when he was trying to give her some love.  Most of the time she fled the scene with a nasty growl and hiss. 

We didn't get any good still pictures of my sister's birthday surprise.  But, we did get a picture (on the same day) right after my nephew, Aaron, surprised my brother, Steve, and sister-in-law, Connie, with an earlier than expected leave from the Marines.  It was an eventful day!  

Aubrey hanging out at a park with her friend, Max.

Aubrey and Carter checking out the animals with PaPa at the Sea Life Aquarium.

Carter and Aubrey taking an imaginary ride on the famous train at Fritz's Restaurant in Crown Center.  The kids loved having their lunch delivered via train!

I know this blogpost has a lot of random pictures.  It gives just a glimpse of us hopping from one activity to another.  I have quickly learned how a visit to Kansas City is bittersweet.  I do not regret our decision to move to Australia.  I think it is one of the best decisions Sean and I have ever made.  But, just because we made a decision that seems right, it doesn't mean everything comes easily thereafter.  Our hearts feel very torn having two homes that are half a world apart.